
As Flight MH17 trial begins, Russia, unlike Iran, refuses to admit guilt
A court in the Netherlands will begin hearings to determine who is responsible for the downing of Flight MH17 over Ukraine in 2014. The hearings will last 25 weeks and can be watched online from my apartment in Moscow. During the hearings, relatives of the 298 people who died will give statements to judges. Family members who can't attend in person can participate via video feed.
However, Russian TV channels will show stories about the trial that are untrue. Despite considerable evidence that the Russian military provided the missile to the group that shot down the plane, Russia denies responsibility. The recent crash of an Iranian plane further complicates matters. When Iran admitted that its military shot down a plane, some who had relatives die in the MH17 downing wanted Russia to do the same. Russia continues to deny responsibility and propagate false stories.